Gear ratios

[Merfectminivt]

Hey guys I'm be to this site but excited about it! I'm working on a custom chopper mini trike up here in VT and could use a little advice. I have a 5.5 hp Honda motor with a 12 tooth clutch and a 72 tooth rear sprocket I'm putting a jackshaft in it and have a 13 and 17 tooth sprockets for the jackshaft the thing is it's slow from the get go and I'm trying to remedy this without spending a fortune on a torque converter any suggestions on how I should run the gears?

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

What size tires? sounds like you might just be geared to low.

By the way, welcome! I'm from VT too, near woodstock.

 

[Merfectminivt]

Sorry I should mention I have NOT put the jackshaft on yet that is my weekend project I'm just wondering what the bet what to run it is to get better low end while sacrificing te least amount of top end is

 

[Merfectminivt]

It has golf cart tires on the back

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

What is the diameter of the golf kart tires?

http://www.diygokarts.com/speed-calculator.html

enter your info in that calculator and play with the numbers, with that engine and clutch 30mph is a fair goal.

 

[modelengineer]

Geared too high, a smaller front sprocket or larger rear sprocket should help if you don't want the expense of a CVT.